Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. John Grisham is best known for adult legal thrillers like The Confession (2010) and The Pelican Brief (1992). How did his shift to a middle-grade audience shape your reading experience with this story? Did it feel like a genuine legal thriller, and in what ways was it adapted for younger readers?

2. The novel builds a lot of suspense around the escaped convict Jack Leeper and the discovery of a body in the river. Talk about your reaction when you discovered that this was all a red herring. Did you find this misdirection effective, or were you frustrated by it?

3. How believable did you find Theodore “Theo” Boone as a 13-year-old protagonist? Did his advanced legal knowledge and confidence in dealing with adults feel inspiring and empowering, or did it sometimes seem far-fetched?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Theo’s fierce loyalty to April leads him to conceal the truth from the police, putting him in a difficult position. Think about a time when you felt caught between protecting a friend and being honest with an authority figure. What are the challenges of navigating that kind of loyalty?

2. Theo and Chase’s use of social media to find April highlights a modern form of detective work that the police initially overlook. Has technology ever helped you solve a problem in an unexpected way?

3. Have you ever had a mentor like Ike, someone who operated by their own set of rules and encouraged you to think outside the box? What did you learn from their unconventional approach?

4. What does the concept of a “found family” mean to you? The story shows how the Boone family provides April with the safety and support her own parents cannot, suggesting that family is defined by care, not just by blood. In what ways do your own experiences with found family reflect those of Theo and April?

5. Was there a subject or place that captivated you in a similar way to how the law and the courthouse captivate Theo when you were his age? What drew you to it, and how did it shape your interests?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. What does the story suggest about public trust in formal institutions like law enforcement? How does Theo’s decision to launch his own investigation reflect current beliefs about the speed or efficacy of official systems?

2. The Family Court hearing at the end offers a solution for April, but it’s a fragile compromise that relies on external supervision. What does this outcome reveal about the limitations of the US legal system when it comes to resolving deep-seated family issues like neglect and emotional abuse?

3. Grisham’s stated goal for this series was to make the US justice system accessible to young people. In what ways do you think the novel succeeded or fell short in this educational mission? Did anything about the legal procedures surprise you or change your perspective?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. How does Grisham build suspense throughout the novel? What specific narrative techniques (such as pacing, chapter endings, or shifting perspectives) contribute to the tension of April’s disappearance?

2. What expectations are placed on Theo in the novel, and how does he respond to them? What theme related to responsibility does Theo’s character convey?

3. What impact does the small-town setting of Strattenburg have on the story? In what ways does the close-knit community influence the investigation and the reaction to April’s disappearance?

4. How does Theo compare to other famous young sleuths in literature, such as Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys? What makes his particular approach, which is rooted in legal knowledge rather than general detective skills, unique within the genre?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. If you were to write a scene from April’s perspective during her time on the road with her father’s band, what would she be thinking and feeling? How would she perceive the events unfolding around her before Theo arrives?

2. Imagine you’re a journalist for the Strattenburg Herald covering April’s safe return. What headline would you write for your front-page story? Would you focus on Theo’s heroism, the police’s missteps, or the underlying family crisis that led to the abduction?